"In the most surprising way the subject of Crimea is actively being heard: European business in a range of countries is demonstrating considerable interest in Crimean engineering transport, communal infrastructure, tourism, port logistics and in the region as a whole, in which there has not been serious attention before now," Likhachev told the press this week before a meeting Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's with Russian trade representatives abroad.

Russia will create the necessary conditions for doing business in Crimea, spending money on infrastructure. "Therefore, Crimea is a new appealing subject in our dialogue with European business. Everybody understands that Russian authorities will pay special attention to Crimea, particular care will be taken and that means investments are more secure, it means co-financing from the state will be found, which immediately increases business interest considerably," he said.

Crimea will now become the subject of a separate conversation with Europe and not just European business, the deputy minister reckons.